Port down Demons in Darwin

Melbourne forward Jeremy Howe took yet another mark-of-the-year contender, but it was a rare highlight for the Demons as Port Adelaide secured a 28-point victory in Darwin on Saturday night.

Power forward Paul Stewart booted a career-high five goals and midfielders Travis Boak and Domenic Cassisi starred as the Power surged to the 12.12 (84) to 8.8 (56) triumph.

Although it was a night to remember for Stewart, it was Howe's stunning mark in the third quarter that will dominate the highlight reels.

Howe, who has become renowned for his massive leaps, used Demons ruckman Stefan Martin as a step-ladder to pull in the skyscraper, with Power defender Alipate Carlile also caught underneath the Melbourne high-flyer.

But Howe's spectacle was little consolation for Melbourne, who slumped to their 14th loss of the season after managing just 3.8 after quarter-time.

Port Adelaide were inaccurate early, but Stewart made the most of his limited opportunities to help lift the Power to their fifth win of the year.

But it wasn't all good news for Port.

Defender Jasper Pittard was taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs after copping an accidental knee from teammate Chad Wingard in the opening term.

Wingard ran at full steam from the opposite direction in a bid to spoil a marking contest, but collected Pittard in the process.

Boak put a tumultuous week behind him to play a starring role through the midfield.

Power officials were left fuming last Sunday when Geelong coach Chris Scott and a couple of his star charges flew to Adelaide in a bid to woo the out-of-contract Boak to the Cats.

North Melbourne are also in the hunt for Boak, but rumours are rife the 23-year-old will re-sign with the Power on a two-year deal worth more than $1 million.

Demons forward Brad Green booted two early goals, but the Power dominated the rest of the half to take a 5.10 (40) to 5.1 (31) lead into the long break.

Melbourne hardly fired a shot in the second quarter, and were in danger of posting their first scoreless second term since 1990 before Green kicked a point after the half-time siren.

Port Adelaide wasted numerous opportunities in front of goal in the first half, and the Demons were guilty of the same thing in the second half when the game was there to be won.

"It's good to get on the end of a couple but hats off to the midfield," Stewart said.

"There's a big upside coming at Port when we get some more players back from injury."